English Education, BA Major in

The degree program followed in the Bachelor of Arts. Courses in this program lead toward New York state initial teacher certification, English, grades 7-12. Secondary education programs are designed to blend on-campus preparation with field experiences in a variety of school settings, culminating in full-time student teaching. Literacy, multicultural education, and information technology are integrated throughout all aspects of the program. The program conforms with the New York State Learning Standards in English Language Arts and with the recommendations for teacher preparation of the National Council of Teachers of English.

Program Requirements

Prospective teachers of English choose English and American Literature or Creative Writing and Literature as a major within the liberal arts and sciences. During the second semester of the sophomore year (after completing a minimum of 45 semester hours of college course work), the student then chooses English Education as a co-major. For program admission policies, see Admission Requirements for Teacher Education Programs.

In addition to the English course requirements for the BA in English, prospective teachers of English must also include in their programs of study the following courses:

Student Teaching Prerequisites

After completing at least 19 semester hours of professional education course work and an adviser audit of content area course work, students may apply for admission to student teaching. Application forms may be obtained in the Office of Field Placement. Admission criteria are as follows:

A cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better on overall course work or permission of adviser

No grades lower than C- and no unresolved INC grades in required English or professional education course work

A GPA of 2.5 or higher in English content courses

Graduation Requirements

Completion of all graduation requirements for the bachelor’s degree in the major content area in which the certification will be sought.

Completion of all course requirements for the co-major in the concentration area within secondary education.

No grades lower than C- and no unresolved INC grades in professional education course work.

A minimum GPA of 2.75 in overall course work.

A minimum GPA of 2.5 in the major area in which the certification will be sought.

An electronic portfolio illustrating the student’s education course work and professional accomplishments.

Completion of all required Educational Law Seminars.

General Education Core Requirements

In order to ensure that prospective teachers have a broad education in the liberal arts and sciences, all students must have completed undergraduate course work from each of the content areas below.

Please note that programs may have general education requirements that exceed the minimum registered with the state. Degrees will not be conferred unless all general education core deficiencies have been met.

Complete BA Requirements

Teacher Certification Requirements

Upon the successful completion of a Hofstra state-approved teacher education program, students are eligible for the University’s recommendation for New York state certification. A request for recommendation must be submitted to the Office of Educational Support Services the semester in which the student is graduating. There will be opportunities to attend a certification workshop during the student’s final semester, to receive all the necessary information regarding applying for certification. Individuals who apply directly to New York state for certification are responsible for learning about and satisfying the certification requirements set by the state. It should be noted that such requirements may differ from those in Hofstra’s registered programs.

All prospective early childhood (birth-grade 2), childhood (grades 1-6), adolescent (grades 7-12) and special subject, students with disabilities, gifted, TESOL, bilingual, literacy, speech and language disabilities teachers, as well as school leadership candidates, are required to pass the New York State Certification Examinations (NYSTCE) administered by National Evaluation Systems, Inc., including the Educating All Students Test (EAS), Content Specialty Test(s) (CST) and the edTPA. Prospective School Leaders will be required to take the appropriate leadership exams. For more information regarding state testing, please contact the Office of Educational Support Services at 516-463-5747 or visit www.nystce.nesinc.com.

In addition to fulfilling the required courses of study, the Commissioner’s Regulations mandate that all prospective teachers, pupil personnel and education leaders receive instructions regarding:

Identification of Child Abuse and Maltreatment

Fire and Arson Prevention

School Violence Prevention and Intervention

Prevention of Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug Abuse

Highway and School Safety/Prevention of Child Abduction

Training in Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination Prevention and Intervention required under the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)

New York state legislation also requires all persons seeking certification in special education, speech and language disabilities or school administrators working in special education, to have training in the area of children with autism.

Hofstra University offers the above listed educational law seminars through the Office of Educational Support Services. All of these seminars must be completed before the conferral of the degree and recommendation for certification.

Fingerprinting
Chapter 180 of the Laws of 2000, the Schools Against Violence in Education (SAVE), requires that applicants for teaching and administrative and pupil services personnel certification and prospective employees of covered schools (school districts, charter schools and BOCES) must undergo fingerprint supported criminal history background check. However, many school districts and institutions across the metropolitan New York area are now requiring that all student teachers, observers, interns or externs receive fingerprint clearance before they are placed in educational settings that are required for this degree program. Therefore, we recommend that you apply for fingerprint clearance upon acceptance to the program. Fingerprint clearance is also required for New York state certification. For information on how to register to be fingerprinted, visit http://www.hofstra.edu/Academics/colleges/soeahs/CESS/cess_requirements_fingerprints.html.